Version 6.0 (2018)RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS ALLIANCE CODE OF CONDUCTThe Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), formerly the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition(EICC), Code of Conduct establishes standards to ensure that working conditions in theelectronics industry or industries in which electronics is a key component and its supply chainsare safe, that workers are treated with respect and dignity, and that business operations areenvironmentally responsible and conducted ethically.
Considered as part of the electronics industry for purposes of this Code are all organizations
that may design, market, manufacture, or provide goods and services that are used to produce
electronic goods. The Code may be voluntarily adopted by any business in the electronics
sector and subsequently applied by that business to its supply chain and subcontractors,
including providers of contract labor.
To adopt the Code and become a participant (“Participant”), a business shall declare its support
for the Code and actively pursue conformance to the Code and its standards in accordance witha management system as herein.
Participants must regard the Code as a total supply chain initiative. At a minimum, Participants
shall also require its next tier suppliers to acknowledge and implement the Code.
Fundamental to adopting the Code is the understanding that a business, in all of its activities,
must operate in full compliance with the laws, rules and regulations of the countries in which it
operates. 1 The Code also encourages Participants to go beyond legal compliance, drawing
upon internationally recognized standards, in order to advance social and environmental
responsibility and business ethics. In no case can complying with the Code violate local laws. If
however, there are differing standards between the RBA Code and local law, the RBA defines
conformance as meeting the strictest requirements. In alignment with the UN Guiding Principles
on Business and Human Rights, the provisions in this Code are derived from key international
human rights standards including the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at
Work and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The RBA is committed to obtaining regular input from stakeholders in the continued
development and implementation of the Code of Conduct.
The Code is made up of five sections. Sections A, B, and C outline standards for Labor, Healthand Safety, and the Environment, respectively. Section D adds standards relating to businessethics; Section E outlines the elements of an acceptable system to manage conformity to this
Code.

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The Code is not intended to create new and additional third party rights, including for workers.

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A.

LABOR

Participants are committed to uphold the human rights of workers, and to treat them with dignity
and respect as understood by the international community. This applies to all workers including
temporary, migrant, student, contract, direct employees, and any other type of worker. The
recognized standards, as set out in the annex, were used as references in preparing the Codeand may be a useful source of additional information.

The labor standards are:1)

Freely Chosen Employment

Forced, bonded (including debt bondage) or indentured labor, involuntary or exploitative prison
labor, slavery or trafficking of persons shall not be used. This includes transporting, harboring,
recruiting, transferring or receiving persons by means of threat, force, coercion, abduction or
fraud for labor or services. There shall be no unreasonable restrictions on workers’ freedom of
movement in the facility in addition to unreasonable restrictions on entering or exiting companyprovided facilities. As part of the hiring process, workers must be provided with a written
employment agreement in their native language that contains a description of terms andconditions of employment prior to the worker departing from his or her country of origin andthere shall be no substitution or change(s) allowed in the employment agreement upon arrival in
the receiving country unless these changes are made to meet local law and provide equal or
better terms.. All work must be voluntary and workers shall be free to leave work at any time or
terminate their employment Employers and agents may not hold or otherwise destroy, conceal,
confiscate or deny access by employees to their identity or immigration documents, such as
government-issued identification, passports or work permits, unless such holdings are requiredby law. Workers shall not be required to pay employers’ or agents’ recruitment fees or otherrelated fees for their employment. If any such fees are found to have been paid by workers,
such fees shall be repaid to the worker.

2)Young Workers

Child labor is not to be used in any stage of manufacturing. The term “child” refers to any person
under the age of 15, or under the age for completing compulsory education, or under theminimum age for employment in the country, whichever is greatest. The use of legitimate
workplace learning programs, which comply with all laws and regulations, is supported. Workers
under the age of 18 (Young Workers) shall not perform work that is likely to jeopardize theirhealth or safety, including night shifts and overtime. Participant shall ensure proper
management of student workers through proper maintenance of student records, rigorous due
diligence of educational partners, and protection of students’ rights in accordance withapplicable law and regulations. Participant shall provide appropriate support and training to all
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student workers. In the absence of local law, the wage rate for student workers, interns andapprentices shall be at least the same wage rate as other entry-level workers performing equal
or similar tasks.

3)

Working Hours

Studies of business practices clearly link worker strain to reduced productivity, increased
turnover and increased injury and illness. . Working hours are not to exceed the maximum set
by local law. Further, a workweek should not be more than 60 hours per week, including
overtime, except in emergency or unusual situations. Workers shall be allowed at least one day
off every seven days.

4)

Wages and Benefits

Compensation paid to workers shall comply with all applicable wage laws, including thoserelating to minimum wages, overtime hours and legally mandated benefits. In compliance withlocal laws, workers shall be compensated for overtime at pay rates greater than regular hourly
rates. Deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure shall not be permitted. For each pay
period, workers shall be provided with a timely and understandable wage statement that
includes sufficient information to verify accurate compensation for work performed. All use of
temporary, dispatch and outsourced labor will be within the limits of the local law.

5)

Humane Treatment

There is to be no harsh and inhumane treatment including any sexual harassment, sexual
abuse, corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion or verbal abuse of workers; nor isthere to be the threat of any such treatment. Disciplinary policies and procedures in support ofthese requirements shall be clearly defined and communicated to workers.

6)

Non-Discrimination

Participants should be committed to a workforce free of harassment and unlawful discrimination.
Companies shall not engage in discrimination based on race, color, age, gender, sexual
orientation, gender identity and expression, ethnicity or national origin, disability, pregnancy,
religion, political affiliation, union membership, covered veteran status, protected genetic
information or marital status in hiring and employment practices such as wages, promotions,rewards, and access to training. Workers shall be provided with reasonable accommodation for
religious practices. In addition, workers or potential workers should not be subjected to medical
tests or physical exams that could be used in a discriminatory way.

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7)

Freedom of Association

In conformance with local law, participants shall respect the right of all workers to form and jointrade unions of their own choosing, to bargain collectively and to engage in peaceful assembly
as well as respect the right of workers to refrain from such activities. Workers and/or theirrepresentatives shall be able to openly communicate and share ideas and concerns withmanagement regarding working conditions and management practices without fear of
discrimination, reprisal, intimidation or harassment.

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B.

HEALTH and SAFETY

Participants recognize that in addition to minimizing the incidence of work-related injury andillness, a safe and healthy work environment enhances the quality of products and services,consistency of production and worker retention and morale. Participants also recognize thatongoing worker input and education is essential to identifying and solving health and safetyissues in the workplace.
Recognized management systems such as OHSAS 18001 and ILO Guidelines on Occupational
Safety and Health were used as references in preparing the Code and may be a useful sourceof additional information.

The health and safety standards are:1)

Occupational Safety

Worker potential for exposure to safety hazards (e.g., chemical, electrical and other energy
sources, fire, vehicles, and fall hazards) are to be identified and assessed, and controlled
through proper design, engineering and administrative controls, preventative maintenance andsafe work procedures (including lockout/tagout), and ongoing safety training. Where hazards
cannot be adequately controlled by these means, workers are to be provided with appropriate,
well-maintained, personal protective equipment and educational materials about risks to themassociated with these hazards. Reasonable steps must also be taken to remove pregnant
women/nursing mothers from working condition with high hazards, remove or reduce any
workplace health and safety risks to pregnant women and nursing mothers including those
associated with their work assignments, as well as include reasonable accommodations fornursing mothers.

2)

Emergency Preparedness

Potential emergency situations and events are to be identified and assessed, and their impact
minimized by implementing emergency plans and response procedures including: emergency
reporting, employee notification and evacuation procedures, worker training and drills,
appropriate fire detection and suppression equipment, clear and unobstructed egress adequate
exit facilities and recovery plans. Such plans and procedures shall focus on minimizing harm tolife, the environment and property.

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3)

Occupational Injury and Illness

Procedures and systems are to be in place to prevent, manage, track and report occupational
injury and illness including provisions to: encourage worker reporting; classify and record injury
and illness cases; provide necessary medical treatment; investigate cases and implement
corrective actions to eliminate their causes; and facilitate return of workers to work.

4)

Industrial Hygiene

Worker exposure to chemical, biological and physical agents is to be identified, evaluated, andcontrolled according to the hierarchy of controls. Potential hazards are to be eliminated orcontrolled through proper design, engineering and administrative controls. When hazards
cannot be adequately controlled by such means, workers are to be provided with and use
appropriate, well-maintained, personal protective equipment. Protective programs shall include
educational materials about the risks associated with these hazards.

5)

Physically Demanding Work

Worker exposure to the hazards of physically demanding tasks, including manual material
handling and heavy or repetitive lifting, prolonged standing and highly repetitive or forcefulassembly tasks is to be identified, evaluated and controlled.

6)

Machine Safeguarding

Production and other machinery shall be evaluated for safety hazards. Physical guards,
interlocks and barriers are to be provided and properly maintained where machinery presents
an injury hazard to workers.

7)

Sanitation, Food, and Housing

Workers are to be provided with ready access to clean toilet facilities, potable water andsanitary food preparation, storage, and eating facilities. Worker dormitories provided by theParticipant or a labor agent are to be maintained to be clean and safe, and provided withappropriate emergency egress, hot water for bathing and showering, adequate lighting heat andventilation, individually secured accommodations for storing personal and valuable items, andreasonable personal space along with reasonable entry and exit privileges.

8)

Health and Safety Communication

Participant shall provide workers with appropriate workplace health and safety information andtraining in the language of the worker or in a language the worker can understand for all
identified workplace hazards that workers are exposed to, including but not limited tomechanical, electrical, chemical, fire, and physical hazards.. Health and safety related
information shall be clearly posted in the facility or placed in a location identifiable andResponsible Business Alliance Code of Conduct v6.0

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accessible by workers. Training is provided to all workers prior to the beginning of work andregularly thereafter. Workers shall be encouraged to raise safety concerns

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C.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Participants recognize that environmental responsibility is integral to producing world classproducts. In manufacturing operations, adverse effects on the community, environment andnatural resources are to be minimized while safeguarding the health and safety of the public.
Recognized management systems such as ISO 14001 and the Eco Management and Audit
System (EMAS) were used as references in preparing the Code and may be a useful source ofadditional information.
The environmental standards are:1)

Environmental Permits and Reporting

All required environmental permits (e.g. discharge monitoring), approvals and registrations areto be obtained, maintained and kept current and their operational and reporting requirements
are to be followed.

2)

Pollution Prevention and Resource Reduction

Emissions and discharges of pollutants and generation of waste are to be minimized oreliminated at the source or by practices such as adding pollution control equipment; modifying
production, maintenance and facility processes; or by other means. The use of natural
resources, including water, fossil fuels, minerals and virgin forest products, is to be conserved orby practices such as modifying production, maintenance and facility processes, materials
substitution, re-use, conservation, recycling or other means.

3)

Hazardous Substances

Chemicals and other materials posing a hazard to humans or the environment are to be
identified, labelled and managed to ensure their safe handling, movement, storage, use,
recycling or reuse and disposal.

4)

Solid Waste

Participant shall implement a systematic approach to identify, manage, reduce, andresponsibly dispose of or recycle solid waste (non-hazardous).

5)

Air Emissions

Air emissions of volatile organic chemicals, aerosols, corrosives, particulates, ozone depletingchemicals and combustion by-products generated from operations are to be characterized,
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routinely monitored, controlled and treated as required prior to discharge. Participant shallconduct routine monitoring of the performance of its air emission control systems.

6)

Materials Restrictions

Participants are to adhere to all applicable laws, regulations and customer requirements
regarding prohibition or restriction of specific substances in products and manufacturing,
including labeling for recycling and disposal.

7)

Water Management

Participant shall implement a water management program that documents, characterizes, andmonitors water sources, use and discharge; seeks opportunities to conserve water; and controls
channels of contamination. All wastewater is to be characterized, monitored, controlled, andtreated as required prior to discharge or disposal. Participant shall conduct routine monitoring of
the performance of its wastewater treatment and containment systems to ensure optimal
performance and regulatory compliance.

8)

Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Energy consumption and all relevant Scopes 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions are to be
tracked and documented, at the facility and/or corporate level. Participants are to look for costeffective methods to improve energy efficiency and to minimize their energy consumption andgreenhouse gas emissions.

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D.

ETHICSTo meet social responsibilities and to achieve success in the marketplace, Participants and theiragents are to uphold the highest standards of ethics including:

1)

Business Integrity

The highest standards of integrity are to be upheld in all business interactions. Participants shallhave a zero tolerance policy to prohibit any and all forms of bribery, corruption, extortion andembezzlement.

2)

No Improper Advantage

Bribes or other means of obtaining undue or improper advantage are not to be promised,offered, authorized, given or accepted. This prohibition covers promising, offering, authorizing,
giving or accepting anything of value, either directly or indirectly through a third party, in order toobtain or retain business, direct business to any person, or otherwise gain an improper
advantage. Monitoring and enforcement procedures shall be implemented to ensure compliancewith anti-corruption laws.

3)

Disclosure of Information

All business dealings should be transparently performed and accurately reflected on
Participant’s business books and records. Information regarding participant labor, health andsafety, environmental practices, business activities, structure, financial situation andperformance is to be disclosed in accordance with applicable regulations and prevailing industry
practices. Falsification of records or misrepresentation of conditions or practices in the supply
chain are unacceptable.

4)Intellectual Property

Intellectual property rights are to be respected; transfer of technology and know- how is to bedone in a manner that protects intellectual property rights; and, customer and supplierinformation is to be safeguarded.

5)

Fair Business, Advertising and Competition

Standards of fair business, advertising and competition are to be upheld.

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6)

Protection of Identity and Non-Retaliation

Programs that ensure the confidentiality, anonymity and protection of supplier and employee
whistleblowers 2 are to be maintained, unless prohibited by law. Participants should have acommunicated process for their personnel to be able to raise any concerns without fear of
retaliation.

7)

Responsible Sourcing of Minerals

Participants shall have a policy to reasonably assure that the tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold in
the products they manufacture does not directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups
that are perpetrators of serious human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congoor an adjoining country. Participants shall exercise due diligence on the source and chain ofcustody of these minerals and make their due diligence measures available to customers uponcustomer request.

8)

Privacy

Participants are to commit to protecting the reasonable privacy expectations of personal
information of everyone they do business with, including suppliers, customers, consumers andemployees. Participants are to comply with privacy and information security laws and regulatory
requirements when personal information is collected, stored, processed, transmitted, andshared.

2Whistleblower definition: Any person who makes a disclosure about improper conduct by an employee or officer of a company, or by a public
official or official body.

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E.

MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Participants shall adopt or establish a management system whose scope is related to thecontent of this Code. The management system shall be designed to ensure: (a) compliance withapplicable laws, regulations and customer requirements related to the participant’s operations
and products; (b) conformance with this Code; and (c) identification and mitigation of operationalrisks related to this Code. It should also facilitate continual improvement.

The management system should contain the following elements:

1)

Company Commitment

A corporate social and environmental responsibility policy statements affirming Participant’scommitment to compliance and continual improvement, endorsed by executive management
and posted in the facility in the local language.

2)

Management Accountability and Responsibility

The Participant clearly identifies senior executive and company representative[s] responsible for
ensuring implementation of the management systems and associated programs. Senior
management reviews the status of the management system on a regular basis.

3)

Legal and Customer Requirements

A process to identify, monitor and understand applicable laws, regulations and customer
requirements, including the requirements of this Code.

4)

Risk Assessment and Risk Management

A process to identify the legal compliance, environmental, health and safety 3 and labor practiceand ethics risks associated with Participant’s operations. Determination of the relative
significance for each risk and implementation of appropriate procedural and physical controls tocontrol the identified risks and ensure regulatory compliance

3 Areas to be included in a risk assessment for environmental health and safety are production areas, warehouse and storage facilities,

plant/facilities support equipment, laboratories and test areas, sanitation facilities (bathrooms), kitchen/cafeteria and worker
housing/dormitories.

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5)

Improvement Objectives

Written performance objectives, targets and implementation plans to improve the Participant’ssocial and environmental performance, including a periodic assessment of Participant’s
performance in achieving those objectives.

6)

Training

Programs for training managers and workers to implement Participant’s policies, procedures
and improvement objectives and to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

7)

Communication

A process for communicating clear and accurate information about Participant’s policies,
practices, expectations and performance to workers, suppliers and customers.

8)

Worker Feedback, Participation and Grievance

Ongoing processes, including an effective grievance mechanism, to assess employees’
understanding of and obtain feedback on or violations against practices and conditions coveredby this Code and to foster continuous improvement.

9)

Audits and Assessments

Periodic self-evaluations to ensure conformity to legal and regulatory requirements, the content
of the Code and customer contractual requirements related to social and environmental
responsibility.

10)

Corrective Action Process

A process for timely correction of deficiencies identified by internal or external assessments,
inspections, investigations and reviews.

11)

Documentation and Records

Creation and maintenance of documents and records to ensure regulatory compliance andconformity to company requirements along with appropriate confidentiality to protect privacy.

12)

Supplier Responsibility

A process to communicate Code requirements to suppliers and to monitor supplier complianceto the Code.

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REFERENCES
The following standards were used in preparing this Code and may be a useful source ofadditional information. The following standards may or may not be endorsed by eachParticipant.
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
http://www.sec.gov/about/laws/wallstreetreform-cpa.pdf
Eco Management & Audit System http://ec.europa.eu/environment/emas/index_en.htm
Ethical Trading Initiative www.ethicaltrade.org/
ILO Code of Practice in Safety and Healthwww.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cops/english/download/e000013.pdf
ILO International Labor Standards
www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/norm/whatare/fundam/index.htm
ISO 14001 www.iso.org
National Fire Protection Association www.nfpa.org/catalog/home/AboutNFPA/index.asp
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from ConflictAffected and High Risk Areas http://www.oecd.org/corporate/mne/mining.htm
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
http://www.oecd.org/investment/mne/1903291.pdf
OHSAS 18001 http://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/ohsas-18001-occupational-health-and-safety/
Universal Declaration of Human Rights www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
United Nations Convention Against Corruption https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/treaties/CAC/
United Nations Global Compact www.unglobalcompact.org
United States Federal Acquisition Regulation www.acquisition.gov/far/
SA 8000 http://www.sa-intl.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&PageID=937
Social Accountability International (SAI) www.sa-intl.org

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DOCUMENT HISTORY
Version 1.0 – Released October 2004.
Version 1.1 – Released May 2005. Converted document to RBA format, minor page layout
revisions; no content changes.
Version 2.0 – Released October 2005 with revisions to multiple provisions. Version 3.0 –Released June 2009 with revisions to multiple provisions.
Version 4.0 – Released April 2012 with revisions to multiple provisions. Version 5.0 – Released
November 2014 with revisions to multiple provisions.
Version 5.1 – Released March 2015 with revision to A1 to take effect January 1, 2016.
Version 6.0 – Released January 2018 with revisions to multiple provisions.

The RBA Code of Conduct was initially developed by a number of companies engaged in the
manufacture of electronics products between June and October 2004. Companies are invitedand encouraged to adopt this Code. You may obtain additional information from
responsiblebusiness.org

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